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Schedule Your Children's Flu Shots Now, Say Pediatricians

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Summary: Flu season is still a few months away, but pediatricians are advising parents to vaccinate their kids, and themselves, against influenza now.

By Joanne Van Zuidam | Posted: September 3, 2013

We know you're focused on getting the kids back to school and getting back into a regular routine, but here's one more thing to add to your schedule: flu shots.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released an updated policy statement for 2013-2014 urging parents to bring their children to get vaccinated against flu as soon as the seasonal flu vaccine becomes available. The updated policy statement was published in the journal Pediatrics.

In the policy, the AAP recommends that kids ages six months and older be protected against the flu with either the trivalent vaccine, which contains three strains of the virus, or with a new quadrivalent vaccine that offers protection against four strains of flu.

The quadrivalent vaccines contain the same three strains as the trivalent vaccine, but it may also offer protection from an additional B strain. As reported by HealthDay, the AAP has not said that one vaccine is better than the other. Instead, the group said to get either one of these vaccines at the first opportunity.

Since the quadrivalent vaccine is new to market, it may not be as widely available. That's why pediatricians are urging parents not to wait. If your health care provider has the trivalent, there's no reason to delay immunizations.

"Parents should not delay vaccinating their children to obtain a specific vaccine," Dr. Henry Bernstein, a pediatrician and lead author of the flu recommendations, said in an academy news release.

"Influenza virus is unpredictable, and what's most important is that people receive the vaccine soon so they will be protected when the virus begins circulating."

Also new this year: a vaccine for those with egg allergies. The vaccine, Flublok, uses virus proteins cultivated in caterpillar cells instead of chicken cells. However, if your child has severe egg allergies (anaphylaxis or severe reactions), you should consult with an allergist.

As always, flu shots are recommended for everyone age six months and older, but the following groups should be vaccinated to prevent transmitting influenza to those at risk: parents and caregivers of children younger than five years old, or with at-risk children of all ages; pregnant women, and those considering pregnancy or those who recently gave birth; women who are breastfeeding their children; children and adolescents of American Indian/Alaskan descent; health care personnel or volunteers; and those with close contact with immunosuppressed people.

Flu vaccines are available in doctor's offices and clinics, local health departments, pharmacies, as well as by many employers, and even in some schools.

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